Numerous pedestrian accidents happen around college campuses

Retail, rental and restaurant establishments designed to serve the students who attend them often occupy the real estate surrounding many of Maryland’s college and university campuses. Students who frequent the businesses and live near the campuses may walk quite a bit. This means they are also vulnerable to being injured or even killed in pedestrian accidents.

For instance, a tragedy recently occurred near the University of Maryland College Park campus. On a Sunday morning sometime before 6:20 a.m., an SUV struck a pedestrian as she crossed the street. The driver involved did not suffer any injuries and waited for police to arrive.

The pedestrian, an 18-year-old woman, did not fare as well. When emergency personnel arrived, she was still alive, but had suffered critical injuries. Despite the efforts of medical personnel at the scene and at the area hospital where she was taken, she succumbed to her injuries.

Prince George’s County Police continue to investigate the incident. The Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit asked that anyone with information regarding the crash contact them. It is not yet known whether any charges against the driver are anticipated.

Even if no criminal charges result from the official investigation, the deceased woman’s family may still exercise its right to file a wrongful death claim against the driver. If the evidence presented to a Maryland civil court proves that negligence on the part of the driver led to the death of their loved one, an award of damages may be considered. If restitution is received, it could help surviving family members with the unexpected, and often substantial, amount of financial losses that often accompany pedestrian accidents such as this one.

Source: The Baltimore Sun, “Woman killed in collision in College Park Sunday“, Brittany Britto, Oct. 1, 2017